"BOOM!!!"
The side of General Castle exploded violently, thick smoke billowing into the sky. The sudden explosion caught the attention of Flower Capital's residents.
When they saw the towering smoke rising from General Castle, they froze in disbelief, unable to trust their eyes.
That was Orochi Shogun's residence!
The next moment.
"CLANG!"
With a massive Slashing Wave, General Castle was split in two, the upper half sliding down along the cut.
"RUMBLE!!!"
Dust and debris shot into the sky.
"What's happening?"
"Has Kozuki returned?!"
"Quick, the Shogun is in danger!"
The citizens rejoiced, praying for Orochi's death, while the samurai loyal to him panicked, desperately rushing toward General Castle.
If Orochi died, they wouldn't fare any better.
At this moment, inside the banquet hall of General Castle.
The ceiling was gone, flames raging everywhere.
The Beasts members who had accompanied Gurd to the banquet shed their disguises, revealing their true identities as they blocked the samurai reinforcements.
The Spade Pirates!
Ace, his body engulfed in flames, stood in the path leading to the side hall. Seeing the charging samurai, his fists ignited once more.
"Fire Fist!!!"
"AAAHHH!!!"
The samurai screamed as they were burned to charcoal.
Despite being only a dozen strong, the pirate crew stood like an impenetrable wall, repelling wave after wave of attacking samurai.
Yet the samurai kept coming.
"Call all patrol units immediately!"
Hotei hid behind a pillar, frantically barking orders at his subordinates.
No one could have imagined that at this critical moment of Orochi Shogun's assassination attempt, outside pirates had infiltrated General Castle—and their strength was terrifyingly formidable, repelling every assault.
The situation had spiraled completely out of control!
The Spade Pirates pulled Ace back.
"Ace, leave this to us! Go after Orochi!"
"..."
Ace glanced at his crewmates, then immediately turned and rushed toward the side hall.
His mission was to kill General Orochi!
Had Gurd ordered him to kill anyone else, he would have resisted. But eliminating Orochi? That weighed nothing on his conscience.
While resting in Kuri, he had heard firsthand from villagers about Orochi's atrocities. That scum didn't deserve to be king.
"Orochi!"
Thanks to General Castle being cleaved open, visibility improved. Spotting Orochi dozens of meters away, Ace leaped without hesitation.
"Fire Fist!"
"GAAAHHH!"
Before Orochi could react, searing flames consumed him, his agonized screams echoing as his body blackened and smoked.
Fukurokuju, who had been confronting Kyoshiro, paled at the sight. Abandoning his duel, he instantly intercepted Ace.
"Who are you?!"
"My name's Ace, and I'm here for Orochi's head!"
As Ace announced himself, several throwing stars pierced through his body, leaving gaping holes in his chest.
Flames flickered—the wounds healed instantly.
This sight made Fukurokuju's expression darken.
"A Logia user!"
As captain of the Oniwabanshu, he wasn't ignorant. He immediately recognized Ace as a Logia-type.
Logia meant overwhelming power!
"Attacking while someone's talking? How rude!"
Ace grinned, forming finger-gun gestures with both hands aimed at Fukurokuju. Sparks erupted from his fingertips!
"Fire Gun!"
"BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG!!!"
Fukurokuju immediately dashed sideways, with dense fireballs hot on his heels. While fleeing, he circled around to approach Ace, forming hand seals as he ran.
"Earlobe Technique!"
His long earlobes on both sides writhed and rapidly extended toward Ace, binding him tightly like ropes.
Capture complete!
"What kind of bizarre move is this?"
Ace stared at the earlobes wrapped around him, nearly dumbfounded. This was the first time he'd encountered such a strange technique.
Was it ninjutsu?
He'd heard about ninjas in Wano Country, and this long-eared man must be one. But how could such a ridiculous technique restrain a Logia user like him?
His body began glowing orange-red!
"Flame Pillar!"
A pillar of fire erupted skyward!
"Ahhh, my earlobes!"
Fukurokuju wailed in agony as only half of his earlobes retracted—the rest had been charred to ash by the flames.
Yet worse than the physical pain was the psychological blow. After decades of rigorous ninjutsu training to master the Earlobe Technique, he'd now lost his strongest weapons.
Glowing emerald specks surrounded him.
Fukurokuju's pupils contracted.
"Firefly · Fire Daruma!"
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
A series of fiery explosions engulfed Fukurokuju. When the flames dissipated, his completely charred body collapsed stiffly to the ground.
"Whew~~"
Ace exhaled deeply, his pent-up frustration vanishing instantly. He felt refreshed and invigorated.
Being inexplicably defeated by Gurd had shaken his confidence, but now that he'd easily taken down a ninja, his self-assurance came flooding back.
This was more like it.
He was destined to make his name known across the world and become the strongest man alive. That previous defeat couldn't have been his fault—that bastard must have cheated somehow.
After leaving Wano Country, he'd challenge the other Four Emperors.
Hmm, maybe he'd start by taking down Whitebeard!
Energized by these plans, Ace flashed a confident grin as he chased after the fleeing Orochi.
"Stop right there!"
"D-don't come any closer!"
Terrified out of his wits, Orochi ran for his life.
Though he was a Devil Fruit user, he'd never trained seriously and was utterly incompetent in combat—especially now that even Fukurokuju had been defeated.
Kyoshiro, Gurd, money—nothing mattered now. He just wanted to survive. He was Wano's most esteemed shogun, damn it!
Where had these cursed pirates come from?
Why were they trying to kill him?
Tears streamed down Orochi's face as he screamed for help.
"Someone! Help!"
"Over here! There's an assassin!!!"
"Anyone! Save your shogun!"
"Guh—ahh! It burns! It hurts!"
When several prostitutes appeared ahead, Orochi's eyes lit up with desperate hope. Though they were hundreds of times weaker than him, they now represented his only chance at survival.
"You wenches! Get over here and block that assassin!"
"..."
The women huddled together, their gazes icy. Seeing Orochi's pitiful state, the corners of their mouths even curled upward.
"You... you..."
Orochi stared in disbelief.
These women had always done everything to please him before, but now they seemed like complete strangers.
Why? Why?
Hadn't he rewarded them before?
Why would they betray their shogun?
"No one's coming to save you."
Ace appeared before Orochi, his fist wreathed in flames.
"I've heard about this country's suffering. A bastard like you could die ten thousand times and it still wouldn't atone for your crimes."
"How dare you reprimand me!"
Orochi transformed wildly, his eight heads snapping toward Ace.
"I shall devour you!"
"..."
Ace's gaze turned icy as he clenched his fist.
"Go to hell—along with your sins."
"Fire Fist!!!"
(End of Chapter)